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Assessment of geochemical processes in the shared groundwater resources of the Taoudeni aquifer system (Sahel region, Africa)

Évaluation des processus géochimiques dans lesl ressources en eaux souterraines partagées du système aquifère du Taoudeni (région du Sahel, Afrique)

Evaluación de los procesos geoquímicos en los recursos de aguas subterráneas compartidos del sistema acuífero de Taoudeni (región del Sahel, África)

非洲萨赫勒地区陶德尼含水系统共有地下水资源的地球化学过程评价

Avaliação de processos geoquímicos nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos compartilhados do sistema aquífero Taoudeni (região do Sahel, África)

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Abstract

The Taoudeni basin occupies a large portion of the West African Craton in Mauritania, Mali, SW Burkina Faso, and Algeria. The multi-layer Taoudeni aquifer system (TAS) occurs in geological formations extending in age from the Infra-Cambrian to the Quaternary. These groundwater resources support local livelihoods, maintain vital ecosystems, and strongly affect terrestrial water and energy budgets in the region. Hydrogeochemical and stable (δ2H, δ13C, δ18O) and radioactive (3H, 14C) isotope analyses were carried out with the aim of identifying the major geochemical processes controlling groundwater quality and the recharge mechanisms. The analyzed groundwater samples showed a wide range of chemical compositions based on major ions, with limited variability, regardless of the aquifer lithology or stratigraphy. The predominant water type, Mg–Ca–HCO3, was found in most geological and hydrogeological settings. A principal component analysis of the hydrochemical data revealed the two major processes governing the geochemistry of groundwaters in the TAS. These are water–rock interaction (leaching, weathering, ion exchange) and anthropogenic contamination. Environmental isotopes revealed the presence of groundwaters with heterogeneous signatures, reflecting different recharge processes and varying groundwater ages. A widespread present-day recharge by direct infiltration of rainwater and/or by surface water was highlighted by significant tritium levels in most wells and high 14C activities occurring mainly in shallow aquifers. However, isotopically depleted δ18O contents with low 14C activities were found in the confined part of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer, particularly in the Algerian part, indicating the presence of fossil groundwater, recharged under colder past climatic conditions.

Résumé

Le bassin du Taoudeni occupe une grande partie du craton ouest-africain en Mauritanie, au Mali, au sud-ouest du Burkina Faso et en Algérie. Le système aquifère multicouche du Taoudeni (TAS) se trouve dans des formations géologiques dont l’âge s’étend de l’Infra-Cambrien au Quaternaire. Ces ressources en eaux souterraines soutiennent les besoins locaux, maintiennent des écosystèmes vitaux et impactent fortement les bilans en eau et énergie dans la région. Des analyses hydrogéochimiques et isotopiques (δ2H, δ13C, δ18O) et radioactifs (3H, 14C) ont été réalisées dans le but d’identifier les principaux processus géochimiques contrôlant la qualité des eaux souterraines et leurs mécanismes de recharge. Les échantillons d’eau souterraine analysés ont montré une large gamme de compositions chimiques, avec une variabilité limitée, indépendamment de la lithologie ou de la stratigraphie de l’aquifère. Le faciès hydrochimique prédominant, Mg–Ca–HCO3, est retrouvé dans la plupart des contextes géologiques et hydrogéologiques. Une analyse en composantes principales démontre les deux principaux processus régissant la géochimie des eaux souterraines du TAS. Il s’agit d’interactions eau/roche (lixiviation, altération, échange d’ions) et de contamination anthropique. Les isotopes environnementaux montrent des signatures hétérogènes des eaux souterraines, reflétant des processus de recharge et des âges des eaux souterraines variés. Une recharge actuelle généralisée par infiltration directe des eaux de pluie et/ou des eaux de surface a été mise en évidence par des niveaux significatifs de tritium dans la plupart des puits, et des activités élevées en 14C, principalement dans les aquifères peu profonds. Cependant, des teneurs en δ18O isotopiquement appauvries associées à de faibles activités 14C ont été trouvées dans la partie confinée de l’aquifère continental intercalaire, en particulier dans la partie algérienne, indiquant la présence d’eaux souterraines fossiles, rechargées dans des conditions climatiques antérieures plus froides.

Resumen

La cuenca de Taoudeni ocupa una gran parte del Cratón de África Occidental en Mauritania, Malí, el suroeste de Burkina Faso y Argelia. El sistema acuífero multicapa de Taoudeni (TAS) se encuentra en formaciones geológicas cuya edad se extiende desde el Infracámbrico hasta el Cuaternario. Estos recursos hídricos subterráneos sustentan los medios de vida locales, mantienen ecosistemas de vital importancia y afectan en gran medida a los balances hídricos y energéticos terrestres de la región. Se realizaron análisis hidrogeoquímicos y de isótopos estables (δ2H, δ13C, δ18O) y radiactivos (3H, 14C) con el fin de identificar los principales procesos geoquímicos que controlan la calidad de las aguas subterráneas y los mecanismos de recarga. Las muestras de agua subterránea analizadas mostraron una amplia gama de composiciones químicas basadas en iones principales, con una variabilidad limitada, independientemente de la litología o estratigrafía del acuífero. El tipo de agua predominante, Mg–Ca–HCO3, se encontró en la mayoría de los entornos geológicos e hidrogeológicos. Un análisis de componentes principales de los datos hidroquímicos reveló los dos procesos principales que rigen la geoquímica de las aguas subterráneas en el SAT. Se trata de la interacción agua–roca (lixiviación, meteorización, intercambio iónico) y la contaminación antropogénica. Los isótopos ambientales revelaron la presencia de aguas subterráneas con firmas heterogéneas, que reflejan diferentes procesos de recarga y distintas edades de las aguas subterráneas. Una recarga actual generalizada por infiltración directa de agua de lluvia y/o por aguas superficiales se puso de manifiesto por los niveles significativos de tritio en la mayoría de los pozos y las elevadas actividades de 14C que se producen principalmente en acuíferos poco profundos. Sin embargo, en la parte confinada del acuífero Continental Intercalaire, sobre todo en la parte argelina, se encontraron contenidos de δ18O isotópicamente agotados con actividades de 14C bajas, lo que indica la presencia de aguas subterráneas fósiles, recargadas en condiciones climáticas pasadas más frías.

摘要

陶德尼盆地在毛里塔尼亚、马里、布基纳法索西南部和阿尔及利亚的西非克拉通中占了很大一部分。陶德尼多层含水层系统 (TAS)赋存于下寒武纪至第四纪的地层中。这些地下水资源用于支持当地的生活，维持重要的生态系统，并强烈影响该地区的陆源水和能源的均衡。通过开展水文地球化学与稳定同位素(2H, δ13C, δ18O)和放射性同位素(3H, 14C)分析，确定了控制地下水质量的主要地球化学过程及其补给机制。地下水样品分析结果显示，无论含水层岩性或地层的差异如何，基于主要离子的化学组成范围较广，且其变异性有限。在大多数地质和水文地质环境中，地下水化学类型主要为Mg–Ca–HCO3型。通过对水化学数据进行主成分分析，揭示了控制陶德尼多层含水层系统中地下水地球化学的两个主要过程:水–岩相互作用(淋滤、风化、离子交换)和人为污染。环境同位素组成指示了存在具有异质性特征的地下水，反映了不同的补给过程和不同的地下水年龄。目前广泛存在的雨水和/或地表水的直接入渗补给，突出表现在大多数井中显著的氚水平和主要存在于浅层含水层的高14C活度。然而，在大陆中间承压含水层中(特别是在阿尔及利亚部分)地下水具有贫化的18O同位素组成和低的14C活度，表明存在化石地下水，在过去较冷的气候条件下接受补给。

Resumo

A bacia de Taoudeni ocupa uma grande porção do Cráton da África Ocidental na Mauritânia, Mali, Sudoeste de Burkina Faso e Argélia. O sistema aquífero multicamada Taoudeni (SAT) ocorre em formações geológicas que se estendem desde o Infra-Cambriano até o Quaternário. Esses recursos hídricos subterrâneos sustentam os meios de subsistência locais, mantêm ecossistemas vitais e afetam fortemente os orçamentos de água e energia terrestre na região. Análises isotópicas hidrogeoquímicas e estáveis (δ2H, δ13C, δ18O) e radioativas (3H, 14C) foram realizadas com o objetivo de identificar os principais processos geoquímicos que controlam a qualidade das águas subterrâneas e os mecanismos de recarga. As amostras de águas subterrâneas analisadas mostraram uma ampla gama de composições químicas baseadas em íons maiores, com variabilidade limitada, independentemente da litologia ou estratigrafia do aquífero. O tipo de água predominante, Mg–Ca–HCO3, foi encontrado na maioria dos ambientes geológicos e hidrogeológicos. Uma análise de componentes principais dos dados hidroquímicos revelou os dois principais processos que regem a geoquímica das águas subterrâneas no SAT. Estes são a interação água–rocha (lixiviação, intemperismo, troca iônica) e contaminação antropogênica. Os isótopos ambientais revelaram a presença de águas subterrâneas com assinaturas heterogêneas, refletindo diferentes processos de recarga e idades variadas das águas subterrâneas. Uma ampla recarga atual por infiltração direta de águas pluviais e/ou por águas superficiais foi destacada por níveis significativos de trítio na maioria dos poços e altas atividades de 14C ocorrendo principalmente em aquíferos rasos. No entanto, teores de δ18O isotopicamente empobrecidos com baixas atividades de 14C foram encontrados na parte confinada do aquífero Continental Intercalaire, particularmente na parte argelina, indicando a presença de águas subterrâneas fósseis, recarregadas sob condições climáticas passadas mais frias.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude towards the LRAE in Sfax (Tunisia) staff and particularly to Dr. Khaoula Khmila for her precise work on the database and GIS mapping.

Funding

This investigation was conducted within the framework of two IAEA regional projects: RAF7011 “Integrated and Sustainable Management of Shale Aquifer Systems and Basins of the Sahel region”, and RAF7019 “Adding the Groundwater Dimension to the Understanding and Management of Shared Water Resources in the Sahel Region”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radio-Analysis and Environment laboratory, ENIS, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia

    Rim Trabelsi & Kamel Zouari

  2. Isotope Hydrology Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria

    Luis J. Araguás Araguás

  3. Algiers Nuclear Research Centre, PO Box 399 Alger-RP, 16000, Algiers, Algeria

    Adnane S. Moulla

  4. Ministry of Energy and Water, Direction Nationale de l’Hydraulique, Bamako, Mali

    Aboubacar M. Sidibe

  5. Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Centre National des Ressources en Eau, Nouakchott, Mauritania

    Teis Bacar

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  1. Rim Trabelsi
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  2. Kamel Zouari
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  3. Luis J. Araguás Araguás
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  4. Adnane S. Moulla
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  5. Aboubacar M. Sidibe
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  6. Teis Bacar
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Correspondence to Rim Trabelsi.

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Trabelsi, R., Zouari, K., Araguás Araguás, L.J. et al. Assessment of geochemical processes in the shared groundwater resources of the Taoudeni aquifer system (Sahel region, Africa). Hydrogeol J 32, 167–188 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-023-02688-5

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